Facial skin indentation preventer

ABSTRACT

A facial skin indentation preventer has a central base core surrounded by an entrapment flap and a securing flap. The core and flaps have at least a single layer of soft moleskin, felt, or similar material forming an outer skin-contact layer that is non-adhesive. A rigid component is attached to the outer skin-contact layer in a center of the preventer, thereby defining a central base core. The central base core can have a cannula or similar item placed thereon. The flaps are then folded inwards, over the rigid component, creating a cannula pocket above the rigid component and entrapping and holding the cannula therein. An entrapment hinge and securing hinge ensure the folds remain rounded and soft. A flap attachment is used to lock the securing flap to the entrapment flap and ensure the cannula stays within the cannula pocket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No.15/052,357 entitled FACIAL SKIN INDENTATION PREVENTER and filed on Feb.24, 2016, which is specifically incorporated by reference herein for allthat it discloses and teaches.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the fields of health andbeauty, and more particularly to a facial skin indentation preventer.

BACKGROUND

Human skin, especially facial skin, can be sensitive. Items that rub,press into, or otherwise contact skin for extended periods can lead toredness, indentation, irritation, swelling, and even sores. This isespecially true for items such as mask straps, cannulas, and similarobjects (collectively, “cannulas”) that put constant pressure on thefacial skin over longer periods of time. For example, many peopleutilize nasal cannulas for delivery of supplemental oxygen. The hollowplastic tubing that feeds the oxygen usually runs from behind the earsto the nose. If worn during sleep, such tubing is often pressed into thewearer's facial skin causing red, irritated indentations or “lines”across the wearer's cheeks. Such lines can persist for hours afterremoval of the causative agent (i.e., the cannula, mask strap, etc.) andcan be unsightly as well as unhealthy.

Therefore, what is needed is a device that can be used in combinationwith cannulas that works to prevent facial skin indentations,irritations, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of afacial skin indentation preventer in a pre-installation configuration;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of afacial skin indentation preventer in a pre-installation configuration;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of afacial skin indentation preventer in a pre-installation configuration;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of afacial skin indentation preventer in an installed position around acannula tube;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side elevation view of another exemplary embodimentof a facial skin indentation preventer in a pre-installationconfiguration;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment ofa facial skin indentation preventer in a pre-installation configuration;and

FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation view of another exemplary embodimentof a facial skin indentation preventer in a pre-installationconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However,those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may bepracticed without such specific details. Furthermore, lists and/orexamples are often provided and should be interpreted as exemplary onlyand in no way limiting embodiments to only those examples.

Exemplary embodiments are described below in the accompanying Figure.The following detailed description provides a comprehensive review ofthe drawing in order to provide a thorough understanding of, and anenabling description for, these embodiments. One having ordinary skillin the art will understand that in some cases well-known structures andfunctions have not been shown or described in detail to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view ofan exemplary embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer 10 in apre-installation configuration. The preventer 10 is shown in an openconfiguration with a cannula tube 90 attached to nasal prongs 95 (bothshown in broken lines) placed on top of the preventer 10. The embodimentof the preventer 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a central base core60, an entrapment flap 20, a securing flap 50, an entrapment hinge 30, asecuring hinge 40, and a flap attachment 70. It is important tounderstand that the preventer 10 can be utilized with any strap, tube,or similar object (again, collectively “cannulas”) that would otherwisepress into the skin of a user.

The central base core 60, the entrapment flap 20, and the securing flap50 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as each comprising a plurality of layers.The plurality of layers includes an outer skin-contact layer 24, 64 and54 and an inner rigidity layer 22, 62 and 52. The outer skin-contactlayer 24, 64 and 54 can comprise a soft, resilient material such asmole-skin or other similarly soft fabric or material. The inner rigiditylayer 22, 62 and 52 should be a somewhat stiff/rigid material that isstill flexible, but has enough stiffness so that the preventer 10 doesnot completely mold to the curvature of the face when the cannula 90that is running through the preventer 10 is pulled tight against theface, or that the edges of the preventer 10 will at least spring back upoff the face when the strain on a cannula 90 is relaxed. A stiffnon-stick and/or waxed paper can be used for the inner rigidity layer22, 62 and 52, while other materials are contemplated in otherembodiments.

The central base core 60 can be generally rectangular in shape, 1.5inches wide by 3.5 inches long. In other embodiments, other widths andlengths are contemplated. Attached to the central base core 60 on onelong side is an entrapment flap 20. Attached on the other long side is asecuring flap 50.

In order to install the preventer 10 on the cannula tubing 90, the usersimply places the cannula tubing 90 lengthwise along the center of thecentral base core 60 and the traps the tubing 90 in place by folding theentrapment flap 20 over the tube, thereby sandwiching the cannula 90between the entrapment flap 20 and the central base core 60. In order toensure the cannula stays in place, the user then folds the securing flap50 over top of the entrapment flap 20 and locks it in place. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a flap attachment 70 is used to lockthe securing flap 50 in place. This is accomplished by removing theadhesive cover 73 from the securing flap adhesive 75 in order to exposethe adhesive before folding the securing flap 50 over. Then, the usersimply presses the adhesive onto the entrapment flap 20 and locks thetwo together. The cannula is thereby trapped between the entrapment flap20 and the central base core 60 and secured therein by attachment of thesecuring flap 50 to the entrapment flap 70. In other embodiments, othermeans of entrapping the cannula on top of the central base core 60 arecontemplated. For example, one or more small spring clamps could graspthe cannula tubing, or a sandwich of hook and loop material with thetubing therebetween could be used, etc. However, embodiment illustratedin FIG. 1 provides a number of advantages over these other embodiments:it is simple to manufacture; provides smooth, rounded side edges;provides a soft skin-contact surface whether the preventer 10 isupside-down or right-side-up; etc.

Between the entrapment flap 20 and the central base core 60 is an areacalled an entrapment hinge 30 that provides extra materials that can actas a hinge when the entrapment flap 20 is folded back over the centralbase core 60 during installation (see FIG. 4). Similarly, between thesecuring flap 50 and the central base core 60 is an area called asecuring hinge 40 that provides extra materials that can act as a hingewhen the securing flap 50 is folded back over the central base core 60during installation (see FIG. 4). When the two flaps 20 and 50 arefolded over during installation, the two hinges 30 and 40 form soft,rounded edges that run the length of the long sides of the central basecore 60. These soft, rounded edges are much preferable to sharp,distinct edges that would otherwise be found if the flaps weren't foldedover but were instead separate pieces stacked on top of the central basecore 60 (or in the case of only one of the two flaps being used).

The central base core 60 has attached thereto a rigid cushion 80comprising a double-sided foam tape or any other suitably stiff andcushiony material. A one-thirty-second inch or one-sixteenth inchthickness can be used. Other thicknesses can be used in otherembodiments. Double-sided foam tape allows the material to be easilyattached to the inner rigidity layer 62 of the central base core (bysimply peeling off the adhesive protection from the bottom of the foamtape and sticking it to the top of the central base core 62). The topsurface of the second tape can be left with the adhesive cover in placeto ensure that the cannula can be slid back and forth over the rigidcushion 80 in order to reposition the preventer 10 along the length ofthe cannula 90 as desired. Alternatively, the second tape can have theadhesive cover removed and the preventer 10 can then be attached to thecannula 90 at a specific location. In yet other embodiments, othersomewhat rigid cushiony material(s) can be used instead of double-sidedfoam tape. The rigid cushion 80 may have adhesives on zero, one, two ormore faces and may attach to the inner rigidity layer 62 in other ways.

In yet another embodiment, the flap attachment 70 can be pre-installedon the outer skin-contact layer 24 of the entrapment flap 20. In thisconfiguration, once the entrapment flap 20 is closed over the cannula90, then the adhesive cover 73 can be removed from the flap attachment70 in order to expose the flap adhesive 75 and then the securing flap 50can be folded over onto the adhesive, thereby locking the two flapstogether.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of afacial skin indentation preventer 10 in a pre-installationconfiguration. When viewed from above, only the top surfaces of thepre-installation preventer 10 are visible: the inner rigidity layer 22of the entrapment flap 20, the rigid cushion 80 on top of the centralbase core 60, and the adhesive cover 73 of the flap attachment 70 on topof the securing flap 50. Also, the entrapment hinge 30 and securinghinge 40 areas are visible.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of afacial skin indentation preventer 10 in a pre-installationconfiguration. In the side view, the two layers that make up theentrapment flap 20, central base core 60, securing flap 50, and hinges30 and 40 are visible: the outer skin-contact layer 24, 64 and 54 andthe inner rigidity layer 22, 62 and 52. Similarly, the two layers thatmake up the flap attachment 70 are visible as well: the adhesive cover73 and the securing flap adhesive 75. During installation, the adhesivecover 73 is removed, exposing the securing flap adhesive 75 forattachment to the outer skin-contact layer 24 of the entrapment flap 20.

Note the round cannula tube 90 is illustrated in FIG. 3 using brokenlines. The cannula tube is placed atop and along approximately thecenter of the rigid cushion 80. The entrapment flap 20 can then befolded along the entrapment hinge 30 to trap the cannula between theentrapment flap 20 and the rigid cushion 80. The securing flap 50 canthen be folded along the securing hinge 40 to secure the cannula inplace. The flap attachment 70 ensures that the installed preventer 10 isable to keep the cannula in place during repositioning of the user,changing the location of the preventer 10 along the cannula tubing, etc.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of afacial skin indentation preventer 10 in an installed position around acannula tube 90. In its installed configuration, the preventer 10creates a cannula pocket 94 which is a space within which a cannula 90can rest. It is important to understand that the preventer 10 can beutilized with any strap, tube, or similar object (again, collectively“cannulas”) that would otherwise press into the skin of a user. Thus,the cannula pocket 94 is designed to hold within it any strap, tube orsimilar object, not just a cannula. The cannula pocket 94 is createdwhen the inner rigidity layer 22 of the entrapment flap 20 is broughtnear the top surface of the rigid cushion 80. This occurs when theentrapment flap 20 is folded along the entrapment hinge 30 and placedover the central base core 60.

In this illustration, the rounded long edges of the preventer 10 areapparent as the hinges 30 and 40 are illustrated in their hingedconfiguration rather than flat as in FIGS. 2 and 3. The cannula tubing90 is clearly illustrated as being entrapped in the cannula pocket 94,i.e., the space between the inner rigidity layer 22 of the entrapmentflap 20 and the top surface of the rigid cushion 80 of the central basecore 60.

The overlapping of the dual-layer entrapment and securing flaps abovethe tubing 90 ensures proper cushioning should the preventer 10 getflipped over and present the outer skin-contact layer 54 of the securingflap 50 to the user's facial skin instead of the outer skin-contactlayer 64 of the central base core 60, as is the norm. In either case,the user can roll-over onto the cannula tubing 90 when sleeping, and yetthe preventer 10 will distribute the pressure from the tubing 90 acrossa wider surface area and ensure that the user doesn't awake with a red,irritated indentation from the cannula tubing pressing into their cheekor other skin.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side elevation view of another exemplary embodimentof a facial skin indentation preventer 100 in a pre-installationconfiguration. In this embodiment, only a single initial layer spans thepreventer: the soft, outer skin-contact layer 110 is a single piece ofmaterial such as mole-skin, felt, or something similar that is soft,non-irritating and/or otherwise easy on the skin and non-adhesive. Inthe side view, the two surfaces of the skin-contact layer arehighlighted: the inner surface 114 and the outer surface 112, whereinthe outer surface 112 actually touches the skin of the user. One of themain deficiencies in the prior art is that they contact the skin with anadhesive material. The outer skin-contact layer 110 of the presentinvention is constructed from a non-adhesive material and/ornon-adhesive fabric.

There can be three portions of the outer skin-contact layer 110. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 5, the three portions are not separated by aline, seam, or other type of separation, and instead, a single piece ofskin-contact material is used to construct the outer skin-contact layer110. In other embodiments, one, two, three, or more pieces of materialcan be used. In FIG. 5, the right hand portion of the outer skin-contactlayer 110 is the entrapment flap portion 120. The central portion of theouter skin-contact layer 110 comprises a portion of the central basecore 130. And the left hand portion of the outer skin-contact layer 110comprises a portion of the securing flap 140. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, these three portions of the outer skin-contact layer (left hand,central, and right hand) are not separated from each other by hinges.However, since the outer skin-contact layer is continuous in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the left hand portion can beconsidered to be attached to the central portion by a first living hingeand the right hand portion can be considered to be attached to thecentral portion by a second living hinge. In other embodiments, thesecontinuous portions that comprise the outer-skin contact layer 110 canbe discreet components made from the same, similar, or differentmaterials. Thus, the living hinges could be replaced with actual hinges,each of the left hand portion, central portion, and right hand portioncould be configured from discreet materials, or any combination of thesecomponents is contemplated. However, for ease of manufacture, it ispreferred that an outer-skin contact layer 110 be made from a singlepiece of material that is soft and/or non-irritating and non-adhesive.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, no full-length inner rigiditylayer is necessary. Instead, a rigid component 131 is integrated intothe central base core 130. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, therigid component 131 is illustrated as comprising two layers: a cushionlayer 132 and an inner rigidity layer 134. It is preferable to have thecushion layer 132 be closer to the outer skin-contact layer 110 asillustrated in FIG. 5. However, in other embodiments, the inner rigiditylayer 134 could be closer to the outer skin-contact layer.

A first end of the preventer 100 comprises the entrapment flap 120,which can be attached to the central base core 130 by an entrapmenthinge (the living hinge described above; such being that portion of theouter-skin contact layer 110 between the entrapment flap 120 and thecentral base core 130). The entrapment flap is configured so that it canbe folded towards the rigid component 131 along the entrapment hinge soas to present a first rounded, soft edge towards the user's skin (seearea generally around 30 in FIG. 4).

A second end of the preventer 100 comprises a securing flap 140 whichcan be attached to the central base core 130 by a securing hinge (theliving hinge described above; such being that portion of the outer-skincontact layer 110 between the securing flap 140 and the central basecore 130). The securing flap configured so it can be folded over alongthe securing hinge and towards the rigid cushion so as to present, whenso folded, a second rounded, soft edge towards the user's skin (see areagenerally around 40 in FIG. 4).

The rigid component 131 is more stiff/rigid than the outer skin-contactlayer 110. In one embodiment, the rigid component comprises one or morematerials which are stiffer/more rigid than the soft outer skin-contactlayer 110. In another embodiment, the combination of the materialsensures that the rigid component 131 is more stiff. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 5, both the cushion layer 132 and the inner rigiditylayer 134 are stiffer than the soft outer skin-contact layer 110. Inanother embodiment, either one or the other of these two layers, but notboth, are stiffer than the soft outer skin-contact layer 110. In yetanother embodiment, neither the cushion layer 132 nor the inner rigiditylayer 134 are stiffer than the outer skin-contact layer 110 separately;but in combination, they comprise the rigid component 131 and the rigidcomponent is stiffer than the outer skin-contact layer 110.

In FIG. 5, the cushion layer 132 functions to spread out any pressurethat the cannula 90 applies to the inner rigidity layer 134 (which alsospreads out this pressure) before such pressure is transferred throughthe preventer 100 to the skin of the user. Without the inner rigiditylayer 134 and the cushion layer 132, the cannula would press against thesoft outer skin-contact layer 110 and still leave indentations on theface of the user. Instead, the pressure from the cannula 90 is spreadout across the inner rigidity layer 134, which comprises one or morematerials which are stiffer/more rigid than the soft outer skin-contactlayer 110. Given the stiffness/rigidity of the inner rigidity layer 134,the cushion layer 132 is extremely helpful in cushioning the innerrigidity layer 134 and thereby insulating the skin from contact with thesomewhat rigid edges of the inner rigidity layer 134 and blunting anypressure points that the inner rigidity layer 134 would otherwise beable to place on the user's skin.

As described above concerning cushions, the cushion layer 132 can befoam or some other soft, cushiony material(s). The cushion layer 132 canbe attached to the outer skin-contact layer 110 with an adhesive, byheat treatment, or by any other suitable method that does not introducerigid/hard/irritating aspects to the central base core 130.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, there are two layers that make up the securingflap attachment 141: the adhesive cover 144 and the securing flapadhesive 142. During installation, the adhesive cover 144 is removed,exposing the securing flap adhesive 142 for attachment to the outerskin-contact layer 110 of the entrapment flap 120 once the threeportions have been folded together as illustrated in FIG. 4. Thesecuring flap adhesive 142 actually adheres to the outer surface 112 ofthe outer skin-contact layer 110 when it is folded over (again, see FIG.4).

Note the round cannula tube 90 is illustrated in FIG. 5 using brokenlines. The cannula tube is placed atop and along approximately thecenter of the inner rigidity layer 134. The entrapment flap 120 can thenbe folded along the living hinge between it and the central base core130 to trap the cannula between the entrapment flap 120 and the centralbase core 130. The securing flap 140 can then be folded along its livinghinge with the central base core 130 to secure the cannula in place. Thesecuring flap attachment 141 ensures that the installed preventer 100 isable to keep the cannula in place during repositioning of the user,changing the location of the preventer 100 along the cannula tubing,etc.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment ofa facial skin indentation preventer 100 in a pre-installationconfiguration. The embodiment illustrated in this Figure is configuredsimilarly to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5. The perspective viewof FIG. 6 provides a better view of how beginning to tri-fold the outerskin-contact layer 110 makes the three portions—the entrapment flapportion 120, the central base core 130, and the securing flap140—apparent as three portions of the preventer 100.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation view of another exemplary embodimentof a facial skin indentation preventer 100 in a pre-installationconfiguration. The embodiment in FIG. 7 varies from that in FIGS. 5 and6 in that the inner rigidity layer 134 comprises two components hereversus the single component of FIGS. 5 and 6. Here, the inner rigiditylayer 134 is made up of at least a cannula adhesive layer 136 and anadhesive cover layer 138. As before, the rigid component 131 should bemore rigid/stiffer than the outer skin-contact layer 110. In thisembodiment, the adhesive cover layer 138 can be removed, therebyexposing the cannula adhesive layer 136. The cannula adhesive layer 136can then be pressed to the cannula 90 and the preventer thereby affixedin place to the cannula 90. Alternatively, the adhesive cover layer 138can be left in place and it then provides an additional layer ofrigidity to disperse the pressures from the cannula across the centralbase core rather than directly through the soft outer skin-contact layer110 and to the user's skin.

An additional possible configuration is illustrated in the embodimentshown in FIG. 7: the securing flap attachment 141 is positioned on theentrapment flap 120 instead of the securing flap 140. The two layersthat make up the securing flap attachment 141 are still the adhesivecover 144 and the securing flap adhesive 142. During installation, theentrapment flap is still folded first over the cannula, and the adhesivecover 144 is then removed, exposing the securing flap adhesive 142. Butnow, the outer skin-contact layer 110 of the securing flap 120 foldsover and adheres to the securing flap adhesive 142 once the threeportions have been folded together as illustrated in FIG. 4. In thisembodiment, the securing flap adhesive 142 actually adheres to the innersurface 114 of the outer skin-contact layer 110 when it is folded over(again, see FIG. 4).

It should be apparent from the above discussion that any other strap,tube, cord, or material can be wrapped with the preventer 100 and itwill ensure the prevention of skin indentation therefrom. Similarly, thepreventer 100 can be used on straps, tubes, cords, or other materialsthat contact other portions of a person's skin in addition to thosetouching the facial skin and will similarly prevent those materials fromcausing uncomfortable and unsightly indentations.

While particular embodiments have been described and disclosed in thepresent application, it is clear that any number of permutations,modifications, or embodiments may be made without departing from thespirit and the scope of this disclosure.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the embodiments should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects with which that terminology is associated. Ingeneral, the terms used in the following claims should not be construedto be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in thespecification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitlydefines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the claimsencompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalentways of practicing or implementing the claimed subject matter.

The above detailed description of the embodiments is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiment or formdisclosed herein or to the particular field of usage mentioned in thisdisclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachingsof the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, notnecessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of thevarious embodiments described above can be combined to provide furtherembodiments.

Any patents, applications and other references that may be listed inaccompanying or subsequent filing papers, are incorporated herein byreference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, toemploy the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references toprovide yet further embodiments of the invention.

In light of the above “Detailed Description,” the Inventor may makechanges to the invention. While the detailed description outlinespossible embodiments of the invention and discloses the best modecontemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, theinvention may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus, implementationdetails may vary considerably while still being encompassed by thespirit of the invention as disclosed by the inventors. As discussedherein, specific terminology used when describing certain features oraspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that theterminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specificcharacteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which thatterminology is associated.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certainclaim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of theinvention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventorsreserve the right to add additional claims after filing the applicationto pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of theinvention.

The above specification, examples and data provide a description of thestructure and use of exemplary implementations of the described articlesof manufacture and methods. It is important to note that manyimplementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A facial skin indentation preventer, comprising:an outer skin-contact layer for contacting a skin of a wearer, the outerskin-contact layer comprising non-adhesive fabric; a rigid componentattached to an inner surface of the outer skin-contact layer in a centerof the preventer, the center of the preventer defining a central basecore; the rigid component is made from a stiffer material than the outerskin-contact layer; a first end of the preventer defining an entrapmentflap attached to the central base core by an entrapment hinge, theentrapment flap configured to be folded towards the rigid component soas to present a first rounded, soft edge; a second end of the preventerdefining a securing flap attached to the central base core by a securinghinge, the securing flap configured to be folded towards the rigidcomponent so as to present a second rounded, soft edge; a flapattachment, affixed to one of the securing flap and the entrapment flap,for securing the securing flap to the entrapment flap in a foldedposition defining a cannula pocket space configured for holding cannulatubing; and wherein the preventer is configured for distributingpressure from the cannula tubing across a wider surface area to preventindentations in the facial skin of the wearer during use of the cannulatubing.
 2. The facial skin indentation preventer of claim 1, wherein theflap attachment comprises a flap adhesive and an adhesive cover attachedthereto, whereby removal of the adhesive cover from the flap adhesiveexposes the flap adhesive so that a non-affixed flap can affix thereto.3. The facial skin indentation preventer of claim 1, wherein the outerskin-contact layer is moleskin.
 4. The facial skin indentation preventerof claim 1, wherein the outer skin-contact layer is felt.
 5. The facialskin indentation preventer of claim 2, wherein the outer skin-contactlayer is moleskin.
 6. The facial skin indentation preventer of claim 2,wherein the outer skin-contact layer is felt.
 7. The facial skinindentation preventer of claim 1, wherein the flap attachment is affixedto the securing flap.
 8. The facial skin indentation preventer of claim1, wherein the flap attachment is affixed to the entrapment flap.
 9. Thefacial skin indentation preventer of claim 2, wherein the flapattachment is affixed to the securing flap.
 10. The facial skinindentation preventer of claim 2, wherein the flap attachment is affixedto the entrapment flap.
 11. A facial skin indentation preventer,comprising: an outer skin-contact layer for contacting a skin of awearer, the outer skin-contact layer comprising non-adhesive fabric; arigid component attached to an inner surface of the outer skin-contactlayer in a center of the preventer, the center of the preventer defininga central base core; the rigid component comprises a cushion layer andan inner rigidity layer, and wherein the rigid component is stiffer thanthe outer skin-contact layer; a first end of the preventer defining anentrapment flap attached to the central base core by an entrapmenthinge, the entrapment flap configured to be folded towards the rigidcomponent so as to present a first rounded, soft edge; a second end ofthe preventer defining a securing flap attached to the central base coreby a securing hinge, the securing flap configured to be folded towardsthe rigid component so as to present a second rounded, soft edge; a flapattachment, affixed to one of the securing flap and the entrapment flap,for securing the securing flap to the entrapment flap in a foldedposition defining a cannula pocket space configured for holding cannulatubing; and wherein the preventer is configured for distributingpressure from the cannula tubing across a wider surface area to preventindentations in the facial skin of the wearer during use of the cannulatubing.
 12. The facial skin indentation preventer of claim 11, whereinthe flap attachment comprises a flap adhesive and an adhesive coverattached thereto, whereby removal of the adhesive cover from the flapadhesive exposes the flap adhesive so that a non-affixed flap can affixthereto.
 13. The facial skin indentation preventer of claim 11, whereinthe outer skin-contact layer is moleskin.
 14. The facial skinindentation preventer of claim 11, wherein the outer skin-contact layeris felt.
 15. The facial skin indentation preventer of claim 12, whereinthe outer skin-contact layer is moleskin.
 16. The facial skinindentation preventer of claim 12, wherein the outer skin-contact layeris felt.
 17. The facial skin indentation preventer of claim 11, whereinthe flap attachment is affixed to the securing flap.
 18. The facial skinindentation preventer of claim 11, wherein the flap attachment isaffixed to the entrapment flap.
 19. The facial skin indentationpreventer of claim 12, wherein the flap attachment is affixed to thesecuring flap.
 20. The facial skin indentation preventer of claim 12,wherein the flap attachment is affixed to the entrapment flap.